In 2020, I started keeping a ranking of every individual tourist site visited throughout the year. (You can find my 2020 and 2021 rankings here). And while I traveled more in 2021 than I did in 2022, I visited more unique sites in 2022, making this my longest ranking yet! Overall, I visited 105 sites throughout the year, and they will all be ranked below. (If I visit somewhere new within the next two weeks, it will go on next year’s ranking). Similar to the past two years, nowhere in the Pensacola area will be included since I’ve lived there my whole life. And because I moved to McDonough in April, nowhere in McDonough will be included either. This year I’m still including Atlanta and the towns surrounding McDonough since the area is new to me, but I may exclude those next year. I don’t include hotels, restaurants, or shopping centers unless they’re a unique tourist attraction, so the camp I stayed at in Mongolia will not be on here, but the ger I stayed in will. I did consider putting Truett’s Hawaiian Luau and The Dwarf House on here but decided not to. Similarly, you won’t see the Mall of Georgia, but you will see local markets from Ecuador. I also don’t include airports unless they’re an attraction on their own, and while South Korea’s ICN Airport could technically be included based off things I’ve read online, I didn’t see that side of the airport so will not include it. So here’s my ranking of every site visited in 2022:
105. Bannister Bridge Canoe Launch
This was a major fail. I tried to put my kayak in here at Congaree National Park and flipped completely upside-down and then struggled to get the kayak out.
104. Goat Tree Reserve
This is a random bird sanctuary in Dauphin Island, Alabama. The tree in the center is said to be where goats would hide to escape alligators many years ago. There’s not much here to see.
103. Longswamp Valley
Longswamp Valley, located in Tate, Georgia, is the location of what was once the world’s largest vein of marble at 7 miles long, 2 miles wide, and 200 feet deep. The Georgia Marble Company has taken over the area, so visitors can’t see what’s left of the marble, meaning there’s really nothing to do. I’m hoping to visit the actual mine either next year or the year after, so hopefully my opinion of it will increase.
102. Amerson River Park
This park runs along the Ocmulgee River in Macon, Georgia. It’s randomly located in a residential area and is a common place for runners to come. I actually saw a group from Mercer University training here. It’s nice, but unless you’re coming to run or look at the river, there’s not much to it.
101. Buford Dam
Buford Dam is what was used to create the manmade Lake Lanier, Georgia’s largest lake. You can’t technically visit it because it’s private property, but you can drive over it, and there’s a nearby parking lot that gives decent views of it.
100. Indian Shell Mound Park
Native Americans would come to this spot in Dauphin Island to fish and eat oysters. They left behind many oyster shells which have created mounds. It’s neat, but it’s overgrown and not really anything special.
99. Cadillac Square
This was the location of the Capitol building of the Louisiana Purchase back when Dauphin Island was its capital city. There’s nothing here other than a bunch of oak trees. It’s a scenic area, but that’s it.
98. Historic Pools Museum
These pools in Warm Springs, Georgia, were opened by FDR to help those dealing with polio. I would have loved to actually tour the museum and pools, but due to staffing issues, it was closed when I visited. It has potential to be much higher on the list.
97. Lake Lanier Picnic Free Area
I’m not sure how else to describe this other than “picnic area.” There are some picnic tables, but only one of them has a decent view of the water.
96. Little Five Points
This neighborhood in Atlanta is not for me. I walked the main stretch very briefly and passed a crystal shop, followed by a pot shop, followed by a tattoo parlor, followed by a vegan cafe, followed by a store with a sign out front that says “Buy Weird Stuff.” The area’s fine if you’re into that type of stuff, but if you know me at all, I’m not.
95. E582
E582 is the highway connecting Cuenca and Guayaquil in Ecuador. It passes right through the Andes Mountains and Cajas National Park offering very scenic views. Unfortunately I traveled it at night, so there wasn’t anything to see. This was not a planned road trip, but it was an interesting experience swerving around high mountain roads in the middle of the night in a van filled with people I couldn’t communicate with.
94. Grant Meadow Overlook
I debated whether or not to include this on the list since it was just a random stop on the side of the road, but I’m trying to include everywhere I visited so it stays. This overlook in Table Rock, South Carolina, was nice, but it’s just that.
93. Lanier Islands
Lanier Islands is a group of islands on Lake Lanier near Buford, Georgia. Margaritaville owns the entire area and charges you to get in. If you’re not camping in an RV or visiting the waterpark, I would recommend not spending the $20 entrance fee. Rent a boat to see the area instead (or not- the lake is said to be cursed).
92. Reynolds Nature Preserve
This is a small nature preserve in Morrow, Georgia. Parts of it were nice, but the trails are so confusing. I can’t rank it any higher than this.
91. Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a trail through downtown Atlanta for pedestrians, bikers, etc. It’s nice, but I’ve seen better. I also didn’t have the greatest experience here, so that is part of why I have it ranked so low.
90. The Tree That Owns Itself
I like how unique this story is. In the early 1820s, the man that owned this tree in Athens, Georgia, loved it so much that he willed the property to the tree itself. Now, according to tradition, this tree owns itself. Visiting it was a little underwhelming because it’s cramped in the middle of a neighborhood.
89. Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery
This is a fish hatchery in Warm Springs, Georgia, that has a series of pools where local fish species are raised. The pools are nice, but the aquarium was a little disappointing as there are only three small tanks.
88. F.D. Roosevelt State Park
This park in Pine Mountain, Georgia, is the state’s largest state park. I didn’t have much time there, so I really just drove through it. It was a pretty drive, but I can’t rank it any higher since I didn’t do anything.
87. Walking Dead Filming Locations
I visited several filming locations around the Atlanta area from The Walking Dead, but unlike Stranger Things locations, most of these are on private property, making them difficult to really experience. (This picture shows the CDC Building from the end of Season 1).
86. We Let The Dawgs Out
This is an art display found throughout Athens, Georgia. There are many fiberglass bulldogs hidden throughout the city, but unfortunately after several have been stolen, many have been put away or are inaccessible, so it’s not really a fun scavenger hunt like it once was.
85. Delta Surplus Sale
This was an interesting place to visit. The Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta has a surplus sale on the second Friday of every month where they sell all kinds of used Delta Air Lines items, including plane seats, uniforms, and even charging stations. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit unless I actually needed something they were selling.
84. Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
This is a nice hike right outside Atlanta, but I didn’t go very far because there are so many branching paths and too few signs, so it would be very easy to get lost.
83. River Front Park
River Front Park in Albany, Georgia, is a park that follows the Flint River through downtown. The most popular part of it is Ray Charles Plaza which is actually pretty nice. But overall it’s just an average city park.
82. Radium Springs
Radium Springs is one of the seven wonders of Georgia because it’s the largest spring in the state. It was once a popular resort before the Great Depression, and the ruins of the old casino still stand. But other than being a cool place to take pictures of, there’s nothing to it.
81. Bear Hollow Zoo
I was a little disappointed with this zoo in Athens, Georgia. The concept is nice as it’s made up of local rescues, but I could definitely tell that the funding wasn’t there to make it what it was planned to be. It was somewhat overgrown, but there are plans to make some expansions, so hopefully it’ll improve.
80. Reeves Creek Trail
Reeves Creek Trail is a trail in Stockbridge, Georgia. It’s nice but nothing too special. The entire trail is paved as it passes through some nice wooded scenery.
79. Atlanta Christkindl Market
I really wasn’t that impressed with this Christmas market in Atlanta. It was smaller than I would’ve liked, and trying to find parking in this area is a nightmare. The Christmas tree was cool though.
78. Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad Trail
This is a nice trail near the Martin Dam at Alabama’s Lake Martin. It has some pretty scenery, but it doesn’t seem to go near the dam, which was a little disappointing.
77. Locust Grove Train Viewing Platform
This is a nice area with a pavilion in Locust Grove, Georgia. Many trains pass through here every day, so if you or your kids are interested in trains, they’d love it. You can even hear the conductors communicating with each other over the radio.
76. Charleston Park
Charleston Park is located on Lake Lanier in Georgia. When you first get there, it’s mostly a boat ramp, but there’s also a picnic area and some hiking trails which are decent.
75. Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway
This is a scenic drive through central Georgia that passes through forests and farmland, as well as going right through downtown Monticello. It’s a cute town with nice scenery, but there’s not much to it.
74. Lake Lanier Olympic Park
Lake Lanier Olympic Park is a section of Lake Lanier used for the rowing, canoeing, and kayaking events in the 1996 summer Olympics. It’s a cool stop to make if you’re into Olympics history, but there’s not much there.
73. Fish River Christmas Trees
This Christmas tree farm in Summerdale, Alabama, is a nice place to visit whether you’re looking to get a Christmas tree or not. There’s a train ride, real-life manger scene, live animals, and concessions.
72. Sope Creek Trail
Sope Creek Trail is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It leads to the ruins of an old paper mill used to print Confederate currency during the Civil War. It’s a cool stop to make, but a portion of the trail just consists of walking along the side of the road. I didn’t hike most of the trails here, so it would probably be ranked higher if I had.
71. Swamp Rabbit Trail
This trail goes from Greenville to the town of Traveler’s Rest in South Carolina. I didn’t see much of it, but the parts I did see were very nice.
70. Plaza Cívica
Plaza Cívica is a nice area to walk around during the day. There are some little shops in the area to check out. But don’t come at night because it turns into Cuenca’s “zona roja.”
69. Plaza de las Flores
Plaza de las Flores is a flower market in front of a church in Cuenca, Ecuador. It’s actually considered to be one of the best flower markets in the world, but it’s kinda small, and there’s not much to do unless you’re going to buy flowers.
68. Downtown Milledgeville
Downtown Milledgeville feels like an extension of Georgia College. It’s very walkable but really small. There’s really not much to say about it overall, and it’s kinda shocking that it used to be the state capital of Georgia.
67. Dauset Trails Nature Center
This is a park in Jackson, Georgia. I didn’t really visit the main nature center because dogs aren’t allowed, and I had mine with me. But I did hike the surrounding trails, which were fine. I’m bumping it up a little bit on this list because of the deer we saw.
66. Mercado 9 de Octubre
This is an interesting market to walk around in Cuenca, Ecuador. There are many fruits being sold here, but the biggest thing I remember is seeing all the “hornado” or whole roasted pigs staring at me as I passed by.
65. Columbia Riverfront Park
Columbia Riverfront Park in Columbia, South Carolina, is a nice place to visit if you’re in the city. It’s a good walking/running area and is popular with USC students, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it.
64. Downtown Athens
This area right next to the University of Georgia is really nice. The famous UGA Arch is found here, along with many nice restaurants and shops within walking distance. While I wasn’t a fan of Athens overall, I did like this area. And I enjoyed watching students go out of their way to avoid walking under the arch out of superstition.
63. Westside Park
This park in Atlanta is built around Bellwood Quarry, which has been used as a filming location for several movies and shows. The park is actually pretty nice, but I didn’t have much time there.
62. Caesars Head
This is a mountain in South Carolina that has great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unfortunately when I visited, the weather made visibility low, but it was still a nice area.
61. Newman Wetlands Center
Newman Wetlands Center is a small nature preserve in Hampton, Georgia. I wasn’t expecting much from it but was pleasantly surprised. Though it’s very small, I saw a lot of wildlife, and the scenery is nice.
60. Downtown Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is a small mountain town in North Georgia near Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s a really nice town to walk around with many shops and restaurants lining Main Street. I really enjoyed it.
59. Your Dekalb Farmers Market
This is a cool farmers market to visit in Atlanta with foods from all over the world being sold. You’re not supposed to take pictures inside, but I couldn’t help it.
58. Mercado 10 de Agosto
Mercado 10 de Agosto in Cuenca, Ecuador, is an interesting market to explore. It’s much bigger than I expected, and you could spend hours wandering its maze-like aisles.
57. State Department Store
I don’t typically include shopping centers on this list, but I needed something for Ulaanbaatar and this is where I spent most of my time while there. This store is very unique in that it has everything ranging from high-end retailers to grocery stores and a huge souvenir store. It’s also a giant maze that I got lost in.
56. Starr’s Mill Park
Starr’s Mill in Peachtree City is one of the most photographed buildings in Georgia and was featured in the movie “Sweet Home Alabama.” It’s also located right next to a manmade waterfall. The park is nice and quiet. It’s a place where locals come hang out and fish, but it’s not a tourist destination you’d go out of your way to see unless you’re a fan of the movie.
55. Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site
This site is found in the middle of Tuskegee University at the site of Booker T Washington’s Tuskegee Institute. Booker T Washington’s house is even included within the site. I only spent a few minutes here as I randomly came across it on the side of the road, so I can’t put it too high.
54. Audubon Bird Sanctuary
This is a nice area to walk around in Dauphin Island with boardwalk trails and beautiful scenery. It’s a bird sanctuary where thousands of birds migrate during certain parts of the year. I didn’t see any when I came, but it’s still a nice place.
53. Centennial Olympic Park
The Centennial Olympic Park was the showcase to the world during the 1996 Summer Olympics which were held in Atlanta. I like this park, but there’s really not much to see here other than the fountains which are nice.
52. Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is a big urban park in the middle of Atlanta. While visiting, you forget that you’re actually in Atlanta because it feels worlds apart. I like Piedmont Park, but at the same time it’s not something I’m dying to return to either.
51. Khangai Mountains
The Khangai Mountain range passes through northern Mongolia between the cities of Khatgal and Murun. I got stuck in a snowstorm here and couldn’t see anything due to low visibility. While I enjoyed parts of this experience, it was one of the scariest moments of the year as well because I didn’t know how I was going to get out.
50. Main Street District
The Main Street District of Columbia, South Carolina, is a nice area of the city to walk around. There’s a lot going on, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants throughout this area. I enjoyed it.
49. Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral
This cathedral is located adjacent to Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. It’s cool, but I wasn’t able to explore it because there was a service going on when I visited.
48. CNN Center
The CNN Center in Atlanta is the world headquarters for CNN. Many of their recording studios and newsrooms are here. It also contains the world’s longest freestanding escalator. But tours are no longer offered, so all you can really do is walk inside and look at it.
47. Indian Creek State Park
Considered one of the oldest state parks in the United States, Indian Creek State Park in Flovilla, Georgia, has been used as a source for fresh drinking water for generations. It contains many types of minerals and is considered to have healing properties. It’s a beautiful area to come visit, but the water itself doesn’t taste that great.
46. Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market is a market created from an old Sears facility. It includes many upscale retailers and many great food options as well. It’s a popular place to come hang out and grab something to eat. There’s even an amusement park on the roof, but I didn’t get to visit it.
45. Central State Hospital
Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, was once the largest mental institute in the world before getting shut down and abandoned. With over 200 buildings on property, it is basically an entire abandoned city with crumbling buildings and 25,000 unmarked graves. Due to its sad history, it is claimed to be one of the most haunted places in America.
44. Alabama Aquarium
The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab was better than I expected. It’s nowhere near the best aquarium I’ve visited, but I still really enjoyed it. It focuses mostly on fish from local bodies of water, and my favorite part was the stingray touch pool.
43. Flint RiverQuarium
Flint RiverQuarium is an aquarium in Albany, Georgia, that mostly focuses on local fish species. While it’s small, I really enjoyed several of its habitats, with the Blue Hole being my favorite. I’m putting it slightly above Alabama Aquarium because I think the highlight here is better than the highlight there.
42. Cheaha Mountain State Park
Cheaha Mountain State Park in Delta, Alabama, is the location of the highest point in Alabama. The tower at the top is neat, but the best views come from hiking to Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock.
41. Johnston-Felton-Hay House
This is a historic Italian Renaissance Mansion in Macon, Georgia, built in the 1850s that was a target during the Civil War. I actually enjoyed the tour more than I thought I would, but the best part is the view from the cupola.
40. Mongol Ujin Tourist Camp
I feel weird ranking this one because I know its owner, but I make sure to include everywhere I visit, so it has to be here. This is a nice tourist camp in Khatgal, Mongolia, that I really enjoyed visiting. The only reason I’m putting it a little lower on this list is because I didn’t get the chance to stay here.
39. High Falls State Park
High Falls State Park in Jackson, Georgia, is nice. The main trail was shut down for maintenance when I visited, so I hiked a different one instead. The falls are cool, but I would’ve liked to get closer to them.
38. Fort Gaines
Dauphin Island’s Fort Gaines was an important fort during the Battle of Mobile Bay in the Civil War. It’s a cool place to explore and even has hidden rooms filled with sand.
37. Mice on Main
I’m using this slot to refer to all of Main Street in Greenville, South Carolina. Main Street is a beautiful part of downtown Greenville that I really enjoyed visiting. And they have 9 bronze mice hidden along the street, creating a scavenger hunt which is actually pretty fun.
36. Parque Calderón
Parque Calderón is a large park in front of Cuenca’s Catedral Nuevo. There is plenty of seating surrounding a giant statue in the center. And it’s a great place to sit for a while and rest your feet after walking everywhere.
35. Arabia Mountain
Arabia Mountain in Lithonia, Georgia, is a nice place to go hiking. The climb to the peak isn’t too difficult, and the views from the top are great.
34. Little White House
The Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia, was the home of FDR before and after his presidency. After his death in this house, it has remained untouched so guests can see it exactly as he left it. It’s definitely a cool spot to visit for those interested in American history.
33. Sweetwater Creek State Park
This park, located in Lithia Springs, Georgia, has beautiful trails along Sweetwater Creek. The ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Co are found here, and the entire area was used to film The Hunger Games series, parts of Avengers: Infinity War, and many other movies and TV shows.
32. Smith Mountain Fire Tower
The Smith Mountain Fire Tower near Dadeville, Alabama, gives some great views of Lake Martin, one of the largest manmade lakes in the United States. The heights got to me a little, but the view was worth it.
31. Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia. Reaching the top offers incredible views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, and you can see 4 different states from the top. This would be higher if the lookout tower were open to visitors, but according to them it never will be.
30. Downtown Helen
Downtown Helen is a unique place to visit. It’s designed to look like a German Alpine town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While it’s cool to walk around, it’s more of a touristy family location and not really a place I’d stay long as a solo traveler.
29. Pelican Peninsula
Pelican Peninsula is a narrow strip of beach on Dauphin Island that extends into the Gulf of Mexico for 1.5 miles. I walked the entire strip and really enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful beach especially early in the morning when no one else is around.
28. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
This park includes several of the important historical sites associated with the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The church he pastored, the house he grew up in, and even his tomb can all be found here, and it’s all very well kept.
27. Disney Springs
This shopping center is a very popular place in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and part of the Walt Disney World Resort. It has many unique shops and restaurants to visit, along with fun things to do for the entire family. I like Disney Springs, but it doesn’t really fit in with places at the top of this list.
26. Stranger Things Filming Locations
I’m grouping all of the Stranger Things filming locations together since they’re all similar. The show is filmed in the Atlanta area, and many of the actual locations seen in the show can be visited. I really enjoyed seeing each of these spots and rewatching the show, knowing more about its locations. (This picture shows Hawkins Lab, a very prominent location appearing in every season of the show).
25. Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
This is the location of the largest archaeological dig in American history where many mounds were discovered dating back to the first century AD. There are actually some signs that show a possible connection between the people groups that inhabited this region and the Mayans, though this connection has not been officially determined. It’s a nice park to explore with cool history and impressive mounds.
24. Boardwalk Loop Trail
The Boardwalk Loop Trail is the most popular trail in Congaree National Park. It’s a 2.5-mile loop that takes you right through the middle of the forest and to Weston Lake. It’s a beautiful trail, and when you stop to listen to your surroundings, all you can hear are birds chirping and wind blowing through the trees. It’s very peaceful!
23. DuPont State Recreational Forest
This forest is located near Cedar Rock, North Carolina. There are several beautiful waterfalls throughout the trail and scenic hikes. I randomly came across this park knowing nothing about it but really ended up enjoying it.
22. Plaza de San Francisco
Plaza de San Francisco in Cuenca, Ecuador, is a large square with many shops set up. It’s also where you’ll see the famous “Cuenca” sign, and it has great views of Catedral Nuevo in the distance.
21. Parque Seminario
Parque Seminario, or Parque de las Iguanas, is an urban park in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where many iguanas hang out. It’s a cool place to stop and see wildlife if you’re not able to make it to the Galápagos.
20. Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is near Atlanta, Georgia, and it’s known for having the largest rock relief artwork in the world. This carving depicts 3 important Confederate figures during the Civil War, and as a result, is very controversial. But it’s a cool place to visit, and the view from the top is very impressive. It’s actually the most visited site in Georgia.
19. Museo Pumapungo
Museo Pumapungo is a museum in Cuenca that protects the ruins of an old Incan city. The museum itself is cool, but you mostly come here for the ruins, which are much more impressive than I was expecting.
18. Falls Park on the Reedy
This park in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, follows the Reedy River and includes an awesome waterfall and suspension bridge. Walking throughout the park made me feel like I was in a botanical garden, and it’s one of my favorite city parks I’ve been to.
17. Consolidated Gold Mine
The Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega, Georgia, is an actual gold mine that you can tour. It’s no longer used to mine for gold, even though it’s estimated that 80% of its gold is still there. But touring it is very fun and interesting.
16. East Palisades Trail
The East Palisades Trail is part of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and it’s my favorite trail in the Atlanta area. It follows the Chattahoochee River for a while before leading you into a bamboo forest.
15. MS Guesthouse
The MS Guesthouse in Khatgal, Mongolia, is where I had the opportunity to spend a night in a ger. The gers are literally in one man’s backyard, but this was such a great experience, and I’ll always be glad I asked about it. He also has an awesome dog named Max.
14. Aerovía
Aerovía is a unique public transportation system that takes riders between Guayaquil and Durán. Many locals use it to get to and from work each day as it’s the fastest form of transportation between the two cities. And it’s really fun to ride too.
13. Providence Canyon
Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Georgia, is an impressive group of nine canyons. There’s a loop trail along the rim which offers great views of the canyon, but you really come to appreciate it when hiking down into the canyons by following river beds.
12. Malecón 2000
Malecón 2000 is an urban park following the Guayas River in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It’s the most popular part of the city for tourists and locals alike, and there’s a lot to see and do along it, including a small amusement park.
11. Anna Ruby Falls
Ana Ruby Falls is beautiful. There’s a scenic trail leading up to it, and then the views at the end are incredible. It’s actually made up of two waterfalls side by side. I saw it in both summer and fall, and it was very impressive in both seasons.
10. Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is the most iconic park of the Walt Disney World Resort. This year, they celebrated their 50th anniversary, so I thought it would be a good time to visit. Unfortunately, I went during Spring Break when the park was at full capacity. I spent the whole day standing in lines and only rode 3 rides. Because of my experience there, I have to rank it lower than it would normally be placed.
9. Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium is my favorite aquarium that I’ve visited, and I liked it so much I paid for an annual membership to visit whenever I want. It’s very impressive as it displays many types of fish that aren’t found in many aquariums. Some of the most popular examples are whale sharks, beluga whales, and manta rays. It’s a must see in Atlanta!
8. Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek runs through Congaree National Park, and it’s beautiful! The best way to see Congaree is from the water, and this was an amazing place. I kayaked along the creek with towering trees on either side and watched as eagles flew above me. Definitely one of the highlights of the year!
7. Mirador de Turi
Mirador de Turi is a cool area in the Andes Mountains that gives an amazing view of Cuenca, Ecuador. There are some shops and restaurants here too, but it’s difficult to access right now due to road work.
6. Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex
The Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex in Tsonjin Boldog, Mongolia, is the largest equestrian statue in the world. It’s a massive statue that can be seen for miles in every direction, and you can go up to the top of the horse for some incredible views of the surrounding area.
5. Cerro Santa Ana
My favorite place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is Cerro Santa Ana. Here, the colorful neighborhood of Las Peñas winds up a hill with 444 stair steps to the top acting as its streets. At the top is El Faro, a lighthouse overlooking the city with incredible views of the area.
4. Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville is the tallest and probably the best waterfall in Georgia. It falls 730 feet, making it over twice the height of Niagara Falls. There’s a long hike to reach it, but there are parking lots situated along the trail, so you don’t have to hike far if you don’t want to. It’s just an incredible place to visit!
3. Tallulah Gorge
I struggled with figuring out where to put Tallulah Gorge. This gorge in North Georgia is beautiful and contains many great waterfalls, one of which you can slide down. But I also had a bad injury here which ruined the experience. I was fully prepared to put it at the top of the list before my injury, so I’m going to be fair and keep it there since I was so impressed with it.
2. Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción de Cuenca
This is the iconic cathedral in Cuenca, nicknamed Catedral Nuevo. It’s one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever visited. The inside is just breathtaking, but what makes it even cooler is the fact that you can go up to the roof for great views of the city. You can’t visit Cuenca without coming to Catedral Nuevo!
1. Lake Khövsgöl
Lake Khövsgöl is a beautiful lake in northern Mongolia. It’s the largest lake by volume in the country and is one of the clearest in the world. I spent a week on the shores of this lake in a town called Khatgal, and this quiet community has to be one of my favorite places I’ve ever been.
Tyler's Travels 